I noticed today when I get on the quad, the rear axle area I can hear a clunk noise. So I jack the rear end up and place on stands. I can put my foot under one of the rear tires and move the axle up and down about 1/2"...I know this can't be good. Any ideas? Standard swingarm and a rocky mountain adjustable axle. I tightened the axle nut to the point where I can't turn anymore, did not make a difference...

Seems that the most play is on the right hand side and not the chain side. Im assuming because of less tension on this side versus the drive chain side?

I would say it's your bearings for sure. Have you ever had them replaced? If not, they are probably on there way out especially if your bike is an 04. Take it all apart, inspect and replace. I believe I used a set of Alls Balls from Rocky Mountain. Also make sure the bearing spacer is in good condition.

no, do it right away. take the left wheel and hub off. spin off the axle nuts, take off your chain and rear sprocket and sprocket hub. take the brake caliper off and slide the axle out of the brake side. pull out your carrier, remove bearings with a large hammer and punch. reverse all that for install. it takes me about an hour usually.

put the bearings in the freezer, and the carrier in the oven and it really speeds it up though[/b]

Ok will give that a shot...Was talking to a buddy the other day and he did'nt remove the carrier to put his in. Im assuming the carrier is held in by the 4 bolts on the back of the swingarm and the center chain adjust bolt on swingarm?

How long in the oven...? 20 mins at 350 degs or to a golden brown.....

Dont listen to him hes nuts hahaha.. no just messin, All I did was put my bearings in the freezer.. didnt take my carrier out and they popped right in... I think all I did was tap them with a rubber mallot and they slid right in so thats all your going to have to do..this is a very easy thing to do wont take too long

when i did my linkage bearings i think i kept them in the freezer for about an hour and in the oven for about 5 minutes. it made it really easy all i did was press them in with a bench vise, and once there in halfway i used the right size socket that fit on the outer race to fully seat them in.
after doing about 5 of the bearings the link started cooling off so it was about perfect timing.
oh and yeah i had it at 350

edit again- now that i think of it when i had my stock swingarm and changed the bearings i didn't heat or freeze anything. and it was a little bit of a pita but not bad and i think i got the old ones out and new ones in in probly 45 min. so the freezer should probly be good enough.

i'd take the carrier out though so you can check for cracks and make sure the holes arent womped out

Talked with a buddy tonight who did his about 3 weeks ago. He said the bearings on one side fell out when he took them out, but did not damage the carrier. We got to talking about it and think were gonna try and drill/tap for a zerk fitting on the rear swingarm housing somewhere so we can keep them full of grease, if it will work. Have not looked at the new bearings yet, might be sealed which would do no good.

We occasionally get into some deep water and mud and this might help..Gonna search on the forum here and see what I can find. Will work on the bearings tomorrow and let you know what happens..Thanks again for the help..Jason

Edit: looked around on the forum and have not found anything about drilling for a zerk fitting on the swinger...Im thinking they are sealed and would not do any good??

if you buy stock replacement bearings it will help because they are only sealed from the outside, the inside isn't. i don't know if it would be good though because you wouldn't want grease to w00ter out of the seal on the axle or it seems like it would let in water after that.

if you buy a set of all balls or similar, they are sealed on both sides so it wouldn't be necessary

Got the bearings out a little while ago. Problem now is the spacer that runs on the inside of the carrier housing, between the 2 bearings has about 1/4" of play in it. Seems very loose inside the carrier housing and I think that is where the play is coming from. It has a Rocky Mountain adjustable axle. This sleeve fits the axle fine, but seems like the outside diameter is too small for the stock carrier housing.

I called a local Kawi shop and they said there should not be any play in it. Also called Rocky mountain and they are checking measurements for me and should call me back. I'll look around on the board and see if anyone else has this problem. Im thinking the person before me who put this axle in may have put the wrong sleeve (spacer) inside the carrier...

Edit: Got the bearings installed this afternoon. Reason for the spacer inside the carrier moving around is because one of the bearings was pushed away from the center of the carrier (away from the retention ring) and that caused some play. New bearings in and hardly any play now in the spacer. Thanks for all the help on my latest projects everyone. You don't know how much I appreciate it !!!!